Special Education Community Events and News

San Francisco's Free Adaptive Bike Program is returning this summer. In partnership with the Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP) and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, we're providing free reservations for adaptive bikes in Golden Gate Park during the summer and fall months, with the program serving people with disabilities.

The program will take place on Saturdays at the Music Concourse behind the Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive) next to the accessible parking lot.

Reservations are required to participate. For program dates and to reserve a bike, contact BORP Cycling Center at (510) 848-2930 or email cycling@borp.org. For more information, click the link below.

More information

Monthly on Thursday's: Individualized Education Program (IEP) Clinics

Presented by SFCD. Offered in English, Spanish and Cantonese. Learn about Special Education law, the IEP process, what to do when things aren’t working, and how to become a more active and effective team member.

To register, please call our Warmline at 415-920-5040, email info@supportforfamilies.org,
or click the registration link below.

Presented in Cantonese: 1st Thursdays; 6-7:00pm
Presented in English: 2nd Thursdays; 4-6:00pm
Presented in Spanish: 3rd Thursdays; 4-6:00pm

點擊這裡登記粵語IEP講座

Click here to register for the English IEP Clinic

Haga clic aquí para registrarse a la Clínica de IEP en español

Monthly Programs

Wednesday, July 17 @ 12:00 - 1:00p: Volunteer Open House

Want to learn about ways to get involved and give back? Check out the Open House! Volunteers are at the heart of the NAMI SF mission and there are tons of ways to get involved. The Open House is a great space to meet staff and explore available positions. Monthly on the first Thursday (except 4th of July) and third Wednesday. Zoom. 

Sunday, July 21 @ 10:00 - 10:45a: Community Art Class

NAMI SF is hosting free monthly art classes on the third Sunday of every month! Creating art can help focus, reduce stress and anxiety, boost creativity and expression, and is a great way to engage in community. Open to folks of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Monthly on the third Sunday. Zoom. 

July Programs

Jueves, 11 de Julio a las 6:00 - 7:30p: Padres Como Aliados y Defensores (Español) 

Programa enfocado en la salud mental de los jóvenes, la experiencia de padres/cuidadores latinos y cómo los cuidadores pueden apoyar a niños. Dirigida por nuestra encargada de Enlace para la Comunidad Latinx de NAMI SF, Aracely García. Zoom. 
 

Thursday, July 11 @ 6:00 - 7:30p: Parents as Allies & Advocates (in Spanish, same as above)

Educational presentation focusing on youth mental health, the experience of Latinx parents/caregivers, and how caregivers can support their children. Delivered by NAMI SF Latinx Community Liaison, Aracely Garcia. Zoom. 

Thursday, July 18 @ 6:00 - 7:00pm: Creating a Special Needs Trust

Learn the basics about establishing a special needs trust for a loved one. Featuring Baron L. Miller, NAMI SF member and author of Laws We Need to Know: Understanding Rules and Programs for Persons with Mental Illness. For family members / loved ones. Zoom.
 

When: Saturday, June 29th 10:00am-12:00pm (youth), 12:00pm-2:00pm (adults)

Where: Lisa & Douglas Goldman Tennis Center, 50 Bowling Green Drive, San Francisco, CA 94117

Join us on Saturday, June 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a free wheelchair tennis clinic at the Goldman Tennis Center (50 Bowling Green Drive) conducted by USTA NorCal. The clinic is for beginners and advanced players alike. The youth portion of the clinic for ages 6 to 17 will take place from 10 a.m. to noon, while the adult portion (18+) will take place from noon to 2 p.m.  A limited amount of sportschairs will be available for use during the clinic. For more information and to register, click the link below.

Register here

Presented in English but staff has bilingual English/Spanish capabilities.

A parent-child interactive group where you as a parent/caregiver get to meet with other families, learn more about Support for Families’ services and enjoy playtime with your child while you learn together and practice Early Literacy and Socio/Emotional skills.

This event takes place the first Saturday of every month during the 2024 year. 

Un grupo interactivo para padres e hijos donde usted, como padre/cuidador, puede reunirse con otras familias, aprender más sobre los servicios de Support for Families y disfrutar del tiempo de juego con su hijo mientras aprenden juntos y practican habilidades de alfabetización temprana y habilidades socio emocionales.

Este evento toma lugar el primer Sábado de cada mes durante el año 2024.

Register here/ Registrese aqui

Parent & Child Interactive Group: Play, Learn Connect (July 6, 2024)

Come join other caregivers and their children in the community for a play date! Ages 0-6.

Play Learn Connect is a parent child interactive group where you as a parent/caregiver get to meet with other families, learn more about Support for Families' services, and enjoy play time with your child while you learn together and practice Early Literacy and Socio/Emotional skills.

Agenda: 

10:00-10:30am- Sign in

10:30-11:00am- Welcome Circle/Reading

11:00-11:30am- Sensory/Socio-emotional Activity

11:30am-12:00pm- Socialization Parachute Activity & Closing Circle

More information

Presented by The Arc California

The Future is Now is a FREE six-week online course (live) that provides options to support future planning for your adult family member with developmental disabilities through supported decision making. It empowers you to work with your family member to plan for the future they want – and that you want for them.

The class includes:

• Comprehensive Future Planning Guide to design a support plan for you and your family member with disabilities;
• Workbooks for parent/caregiver and family member;
• Certificate of Completion;
• Small and interactive class size so you can ask questions, and work with other parents and caregivers on developing a future plan step-by-step.

Register Here

CLASS SCHEDULE 

This class will meet Wednesday's from 10:00am - 11:30am on these dates: 

Week 1: Wednesday, July 10th 

Week 2: Wednesday, July 17th 

Week 3: Wednesday, July 24th 

Week 4: Wednesday, July 31st 

Week 5: Wednesday, August 7th 

Week 6: Wednesday, August 14th

Presented by the SF Autism Society

What: A friendly gathering overlooking the Bay. Light appetizers served, you may purchase full meals.

When: Sunday, July 14, 2024, 4-6pm

Where: Pier 23 Cafe, Restaurant and Bar, 23 The Embarcadero, SF

Cost: Free, but please register here so we can plan space and orders.

Questions? Please email Susan at susan.d.andrews@icloud.com 

Self-Care Matters: Well-Being for the Family Caregiver is a two-week live online class where family caregivers gain strategies and tools to enhance their own well-being. 

• Connect with other parents who share in the challenge of prioritizing themselves
• Understand the 10 methods for maintaining a healthy and balanced life
• Learn how to integrate health and wellness strategies into your busy schedule 
• Discover resources and supports available for family caregivers

The next class starts on Tuesday, July 16 at 5:00 p.m.. Space is limited, so sign up today!

Register Here

Learn more and register

Join autism advocate and Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum US cast member Dani Bowman as she discusses her journey working in animation and building her own animation company, DaniMation Entertainment, at the age of 11. This inspiring discussion will dive into the challenges the people with autism face within the animation industry and the importance of understanding and accommodating differences, building self-advocacy skills, and fostering inclusive workplaces for all.

An autograph signing with the speaker will follow the conclusion of this event, exclusive for all program ticketholders.

On-Sale Information

Tickets for Animator and Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum Cast Member Dani Bowman: Empowering Voices, Inspiring Change are available as follows:

• Walt’s Circle Donors: Purchase tickets beginning Tuesday, Jun 4 at noon by emailing membership@wdfmuseum.org.
• Founding, Supporter, and Friend-level members: Purchase tickets beginning Wednesday, Jun 5 at noon by emailing membership@wdfmuseum.org.
• All member levels: Purchase tickets online beginning Thursday, Jun 6 at noon via the Member Portal.
• Public (non-members): Remaining tickets available online beginning Friday, Jun 7 at noon.

Upgrade your membership to receive priority access to purchase tickets. Membership dues and Walt's Circle donations may be paid as monthly installments or as a one-time annual payment. For more information, please email the Membership Department at membership@wdfmuseum.org.

Meet Travis Saunders from Australia who has been awarded a Churchill Fellowship to investigate models of support that enable autistic people to access and enjoy hiking/bushwalking. Travis is the father of an incredible non speaking autistic son, a qualified hiking guide and founder of Inclusive Trails. He looks forward to meeting and learning from autistic people and their families on our hike who have accessed, enjoyed and benefited from exploring trails.
Learn more about Travis and his project here
 
Date/Time: Sunday, July 21, 11 AM start (please try to arrive 10 minutes before)
 
Address/Location: Lands End Lookout Visitor Center, 680 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, parking and bathrooms available
 
Meeting Point: Meet by the Lands End Visitor Center. If parking lot is full, there is more parking available along El Camino del Mar leading to the USS San Francisco Memorial

RSVP suggested but not required to Lisa Louis at llouis@sonic.net (hikingautism.com)
 
Considerations:  Dress in layers for unexpected temperature changes. Dogs are allowed. If you miss the group and want to explore on your own, here are some hike descriptions of the area: 
Lands End Lookout to Mile Rock Beach: https://www.hikingautism.com/lands-end-lookout-to-mile-rock-beach.html
Sutro Baths: https://www.hikingautism.com/sutro-baths.html
Fort Miley at Lands End: https://www.hikingautism.com/fort-miley-at-lands-end.html
Labyrinth at Lands End: https://www.hikingautism.com/labyrinth-at-lands-end.html)

Join parent-educator Felisa Strickland and special guest Steve Dale, Esq. LL.M Trustee, Golden State Pooled Trust, for a FREE Zoom conversation on the types and benefits of a Special Needs Trusts and how to decide if it’s the right option for you and your family member with a disability.

Be part of the Caring Conversations webinar on Tuesday, July 23 from 10:00 -11:00 am (PST) and get your questions answered.

Register now to hold your spot. ASL interpretation available.

Register Here

December 2023

• Into the Brightness: Artists from Creativity Explored, Creative Growth & NIAD by Tony Bravo via SF Chronicle
• Autism in the Classroom: One Mother's Story by Alycia Chu via The Special EDge
• A Student Wrote a Book About Her Learning Disability. Now, She Has Advice for Teachers by Sarah Schwartz & Jaclyn Borowski via Education Week
• Biden Administration Works to Increase Preschool Inclusion by Michelle Diament via Disability Scoop
• Which Accommodations Are Available for My Child With ADHD? by Liz Nissim-Matheis Ph.D. via Psychology Today
• Unravelling the puzzle Ultimately, illuminating the science behind learning disabilities helps shift narratives. It reveals minds that simply learn differently, with insights we all may benefit from. Aditi Subramaniam
  
  Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/features/unravelling-the-puzzle-2789206

November 2023

• Balboa Theater Hosts First Sensory-Friendly Movie in Partnership with SF Rec. and Park’s Therapeutic Rec. and Inclusion Services  by Beth Lederer via Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon
• Turning 18: What Parents & Teachers Need to Know
• Inclusive College Opportunities for Students with Disabilities from DREDF
• Designers Work To Make Playgrounds More Inclusive via DisabilityScoop
• An Open Conversation with Temple Grandin by By Anni Layne Rodgers via ADDitude Magazine
• Museum Makes Major Acquisition of Works By Artists With IDD by Tony Bravo via Disability Scoop/San Francisco Chronicle
• Honda Sees An Inclusive Mobility Future, From Wheelchairs to Battery-Electric Airplanes by Raymond Tribdino via CleanTechnica
• "My Disability Roadmap" Impact Report, American Film Showcase
• Longmore Institute on Disability November Superfest Newsletter

October 2023

• California’s K-8 Students Guaranteed Outdoor Time with New Recess Law
• Lost in translation: Parents of special ed students who don’t speak English often left in the dark
• Museum Makes Major Acquisition Of Works By Artists With IDD by Tony Bravo, San Francisco Chronicle/TNS | October 27, 2023
• Non-Verbal Teen to 'Take on the World' With a Symphony Written in His Head by Sasha Khokha
• OSEP Releases New Fast Facts on Children Identified with Intellectual Disability
• 8 Dyslexia Resources for Educators: A Curated List from Lexia, October Dyslexia Awareness Month
• Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day with Special Olympics Athlete Ablaye Ndiaye from Special Olympics
• October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month from The Arc California
• US Department of Education Awards More Than $35 Million to Develop Personnel in Support of Children with Disabilities

September 2023

• The Evolution of ADHD: Examining the Last 25 Years — and the Future by Dave Anderson PhD from Additude Magazine.
• Exploring College for Students with Intellectual Disability: Families Make it Happen from thinkhighered.net/
• How Families of Children With Disabilities Can Find Support By Claudia Boyd-Barrett  from California Health Report
• What a Week Without Driving Can Teach by Anna Zivarts via Bloomberg
• Curiosity and Joy in Disability Advocacy by Meriah Hudson Nichols via DREDF The Blog
• RJ Peete isn't just a clubhouse attendant with autism. He's a central part of the Dodgers family by Steve Henson via the Los Angeles Times
• Developmental Dyscalculia: A New Understanding of Early Warning Signs by Daniel Ansari, Ph.D. via ADDitude Mag
• Practical Strategies & Tools to Help Kids with Dysgraphia by Lindsey Biel M.A., OTR/L via ADDitude Mag
• The Dyslexia-ADHD Overlap: Why Evaluators Confuse the Conditions by Cheryl Chase, Ph.D via ADDitude Mag

August 2023

• Managing Screen Time for Children with Autism from the National Autism Center at the May Institute.
• 10 Ways to Support Your Child’s Special Education Teacher from AmeriDisability
• The Autism Surge: Lies, Conspiracies, and My Own Kids by Jill Escher
• Behavior Problems at School: A Complete Problem-Solving Guide for Parents by Rachel Schwartz via ADDitude
• The IEP Process: Guiding Questions from East County SELPA

July 2023

• What is Disability Pride by Nancy DeVault from AmeriDisability
• Celebrating 33 Years of the Signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) from Disability Rights California
• Information is Power: California Now Requires Early Screening for Dyslexia a DREDF Special Education
• California Joins 40 States in Mandating Dyslexia Screening by Elizabeth Huebeck for Education Week
• [Video] Heumann nature: The life and legacy of disability activist Judy Heumann from the Ford Foundation
• Hope, What's the most important thing if your child is struggling with school or hasn't attended for months? by Dr. Naomi Fisher

June 2023

• Delta Developing Seat To Accommodate Wheelchairs In Flight by Shaun Heasley for Disability Scoop
• Dancing with the special stars: SF students show talents, art on and off stage by Lyanne Melendez for ABC 7 News

May 2023

• ‘Netflix For Neurodiverse’: World’s First TV Channel For Autistic Kids by John Jeffay, NoCamels
• Apple Previews iPhone, iPad and Mac Accessibility Features by Abrar Al-Heeti for CNet
• Why the ‘science of reading’ may be the next dyslexia battleground by Joe Hong | CalMatters
• Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on Senate Confirmation of Glenna Wright-Gallo
• ‘Wings for All’ introduces flyers with special needs to Atlanta airport
• SMART IEP Pop-up Tool from Wright's Law
• Barbie’s Path to Inclusion - from the DREDF Blog
• How A First-Grader With Cerebral Palsy Helped Make His Playground More Inclusive by Zach Hammack,

April 2023

• "BART Has Local Kids with Autism Doing Station Announcements for Autism Acceptance Month" by Joe Kukura via SFist
• "I have an invisible disability myself: Edward Enninful and Sinéad Burke on their fashion revolution" via The Guardian
• Self-Advocacy Matters! Key Resources from DREDF
• "Special Education is Getting More Expensive, Forcing Schools to Make Cuts Elsewhere" by Mark Lieberman via EdWeek
• Autism in Girls & Women with Dr Donna Henderson by Dr Jeremy Sharp from the Testing Psychologist
• "Never Empty Nesters" Benefit From More Time to Love by Beth Lederer via The Guardsman
• What Does OCD Look Like in the Classroom? by Jerry Bubrick, PhD via the Child Mind Institute
• Autism now more common among Black, Hispanic kids in US by Mike Stobbe via AP News
• Thank You to Our Paraeducators! from SFUSD Communications
• ‘I thought I was dumb for not being able to pay attention…’: Cymeria Robshaw shares her experience as a neurodivergent young adult from Project Eye to Eye 
• Marion Joseph's literacy crusade for teaching phonics in California is paying off by Dan Walters in CalMatters
• A Reading Teacher Makes a Case for Early Dyslexia Screening by Elizabeth Heubeck via Education Week
• A New Pathway to a High School Diploma for Students with Disabilities from California Department of Education
• It’s Time for a Transition IEP Meeting- What should I do next? by Erin Mahaffey
• Autism Now Affects 1 In 36 Kids, CDC Says from Disability Scoop

March 2023

• It’s time to screen all students for dyslexia risks by Carol Kocivar from Ed100
• Despite union opposition, many teachers support dyslexia screening for all students from Cal Matters
• Special Olympics Celebrates Women's History Month
• “Could I Be Autistic, Too?” Signs of Autism in Women with ADHD
• 20 Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Girls from VeryWell Mind
• Teens Are Struggling Right Now. What Can Parents Do? from the NYTimes
• What are SMART IEP Goals? from Support for Families of Children with Disabilities
• Using the IEP Meeting to Create an IEP that Works from Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
• Summer Resource Fair Features Enrichment Opportunities from SAN FRANCISCO RICHMOND REVIEW on MARCH 2, 2023 By Kate Quach

February 2023

• U.S. based Legoland Parks to become certified Autism Centers by spring 2023 from Fox5 San Diego
• Celebrating Black History Month from National Center for Learning Disabilities
• Black, Brilliant, and Dyslexic: Neurodivergent Heroes Tell Their Stories edited by Marcia Brissett-Bailey
• Black Women Leaders and Disability Justice
• 'Love on the Spectrum' shows what dating can be like for people with autism from NPR
• Learning to read by third grade requires evidence-based instruction, panel says from EdSource
• Five Step Emergency Preparedness in ASL from the Listos California Resource Hub
• Emergency Preparedness from the Cal OES (Governor's Office of Emergency Services)

January 2023

• DSPS Accessible Theater Arts Teacher Sparks Creativity, Self-Confidence, and Self-Expression by Beth Lederer
• The Best Way to Explain Learning Disabilities to Your Child, by Rick Lavoie via ADDitude
• IEP Progress Reports: What Should be Reported vs What is Reported, by Callie Oettinger via Special Education Action

December 2022

• Should We Say 'with Autism' or 'Autistic'? Here's Why It Matters
• New documentary "In A Different Key" follows first person diagnosed with autism
• Office of Special Education Programs Update - A Newsletter for OSEP Grantees and Interested Stakeholders
• Disability Rights Advocate Justice Maria Araujo Kahn nomination approved by Senate Judiciary Committee from Daily Kos
• By Rethinking How Reading Is Taught, Bay Area Schools Hope To Boost Overall Literacy by Ida Mojadad, The San Francisco Standard

November 2022

• Meet the Special Ed Advocate Who Ousted Ann Hsu for a Spot on SF’s School Board by Ida Mojadad
• Confronting Ableism on the Way to Justice by Keith Jones from Learning for Justice
• Inclusive Education Benefits All Children by Mellanie Willingham-Jaggers and the Glsen Team from Learning for Justice
• Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong hosted by Emily Hanford 
• Unified Sports Level the Playing Field for Students With Disabilities by Sarah D. Sparks from Education Week
• SFUSD pleads for drivers to obey traffic laws after car hits school bus, flees scene by Lyanne Melendez, ABC7 News
• How to Document and Resolve Issues With the IEP Team from Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund

October 2022

• “I am a Neurodivergent Black Woman — and I am Filled with Hope.” By Alyssa Tundidor
• Ensuring All Students with Disabilities have a Pathway to a High School Diploma in California from DREDF
• Roundup: Education policies passed, failed and vetoed in 2022 by Carol Kocivar 
• New literacy standards for teacher candidates could be pivotal to improving student reading scores. by 
  Diana Lambert 

September 2022

• **Year of the Tiger: Debut memoir by Alice Wong**
• NIH Awards $100 Million for Autism Centers of Excellence Program
• My Parents Are Hackers Out of Necessity: NY Times Opinion
• Office of Special Education Programs Seeking Input: Prioritizing Equity
• “Love on the Spectrum U.S.” Wins Multiple Emmy Awards
• Thomas the Tank Engine and Peppa Pig welcome friends with autism and 2 mommies

August 2022

• Dallas nonprofit aims to break down barriers that disabled people face
• Sonoma County teacher pens book celebrating her hearing-impaired students
• How to talk about disability sensitively and avoid ableist tropes
• Uber WAV provides affordable rides in wheelchair-accessible vehicles, where available

Past Articles

• Why “Special Needs” is Not Helpful | medium.com
• Creating trauma-informed individualized education programs  | American Psychological Association
• Parent-Teacher Conferences - What to Ask for Kids with IEPs from A Day in Your Shoes
• Changing the Conversation Around ADHD with New Documentary The Disruptors
• 5 Reasons Why Disability Issues Should Be A Higher Priority, Even Now  | Forbes
• Nancy Armstrong Is Changing the Conversation Around ADHD with New Documentary The Disruptors. By Jessica Migala
• At a Loss for Words:  How a flawed idea is teaching millions of kids to be poor readers | APM ReportsU.S. Department of Education Announces Intent to Strengthen and Protect Rights for Students with Disabilities by Amending Regulations Implementing Section 504. 
• Microsoft unveils new adaptive PC accessories with modular components. 
• Watch My Disability Roadmap about Samuel Habib in the New York Times "Op-Docs".  
• Self-Advocacy: Participating in Your IEP Meetings.
• 2 UC Berkeley students make history as 1st nonspeaking autistic graduates.
• Access SFUSD presents its Insider Guide
• 504 and Me By Meriah Nichols, from the Disability Rights and Education Defense Fund Blog
• AB 1663: The Probate Conservatorship Reform and Supported Decision-Making Act
• Slate.com: Why Are Special Education Teachers Quitting Across the Nation?
• Washington Post: Disability Community Pushes To keep Masks Aboard Mass Transit